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Key Points

Aiden Markram has struggled in T20Is since his last fifty in October 2022. He had a decent IPL 2024 but has failed to replicate that form internationally. South Africa and Australia are locked in a thrilling 1-1 series ahead of the decider. Markram remains optimistic about his role as an opener despite recent struggles.

Key Points: Can Aiden Markram Break Poor Form in South Africa vs Australia T20I Decider

  • Markram averages just 21.34 in T20Is since October 2022
  • His last T20I fifty was against India in the 2022 World Cup
  • He scored 445 runs in IPL 2024 with five fifties
  • South Africa and Australia are tied 1-1 in the T20I series
3 min read

Will Markram overcome his poor run of form in 3rd T20I between South Africa-Australia?

South Africa captain Aiden Markram seeks redemption in the series decider against Australia, struggling since his last T20I fifty in 2022.

"We have got some guys in the middle order that are really destructive, a lot more destructive than myself. - Aiden Markram"

Cairns . August 16

As South Africa plays Australia in a crucial decider third T20I, all eyes will be on skipper Aiden Markram to overcome his barren run of form, not having hit a half-century since October 2022.

The series between Australia and South Africa is currently level at 1-1. Markram has not performed well as an opener in the series, managing scores of 12 and 18.

Markram last hit a T20I fifty during the ICC T20 World Cup against India at Perth, scoring a match-winning 52 while chasing 134.

Since then in 30 T20Is, Markram has scored just 555 runs at an average of 21.34 and a strike rate of 138.40, with best score of 49 across 30 innings. He has touched the 20-run mark only 11 times since his last T20I fifty.

His T20I figures since then, though, are solid enough, scoring 2,513 runs at an average of 27.92, strike rate of over 133. He has scored a century and 13 fifties with a best score of 100 in 104 innings.

This year, he had a solid Indian Premier League (IPL) for Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as an opener, with 445 runs in 13 matches at an average of 34.23, a strike rate of 148.82, with five fifties in 13 innings and a best score of 66.

Ahead of the third T20I, Markram confirmed that he will continue opening for the next six months leading up to the T20 World Cup, to have destructive batters like Lhuan-Dre Pretorious and Ryan Rickelton to feature prominently in the top order.

"Going through our squads and (looking at) the players that we have got around, we think that is the best fit," said Markram as quoted by cricket.com.au

"We have got some guys in the middle order that are really destructive, a lot more destructive than myself."

"And we feel it is better off for me and Ricks (Rickelton) to be up top.

"I did it a bit at the IPL, I am starting to do it now again at international cricket. It is an exciting role. It is nice to be able to bat in the Powerplay," he concluded.

Markram does have a poor record while opening, scoring just 56 runs in five innings, with the best score of 18.

South Africa T20 squad: Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Rassie van der Dussen

Australia T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen (out with concussion), Matthew Short (out with injury), Adam Zampa.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As an Indian cricket fan, I've always admired Markram's technique. He did well against us in Perth last year. Hope he finds form before the World Cup - we want strong competition! 🤞
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Ananya R
His IPL performance shows he has the capability. Sometimes players go through rough patches - even Kohli did. Markram just needs one good innings to regain confidence. All the best to him!
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Vikram M
Why is he insisting on opening when his stats clearly show he's struggling there? South Africa has better options like Brevis. Captain's ego shouldn't come before team's needs.
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Kavya N
As someone who follows both IPL and international cricket, I think Markram is trying too hard. He should play his natural game like he does for LSG. Too much pressure as captain affecting his batting 😕
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David E
Interesting to see how different players handle slumps. Markram's strike rate is still decent (138) even during this bad phase. Shows he's trying to be aggressive but just not converting.
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Priya S
His humility in admitting others are more destructive is admirable. Hope he comes good tonight! South Africa needs their captain in form with World Cup approaching. #CricketFever

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